Greg celebrates 30 years with Endeavour Foundation Maryborough

Greg Massingham has seen a lot of change in his 30 years with Endeavour Foundation Industries Maryborough.

But one thing remains – he is as much of a gentleman today as the day he started. Greg, a supported employee, first walked through the Endeavour doors as a kind and friendly fresh-faced 19-year-old in 1980, and is affectionately named “GM” by his colleagues – a reference to not only his initials but also to how well-respected and highly regarded he is, like a general manager.

“He runs the show,” his training and development officer Brad Rocke joked.

“Greg is such a big character at the service. He’s been here for so long and is well-respected for his kindness and for being a perfect gentleman, always holding doors open for ladies and things like that.”

Endeavour Foundation Industries Maryborough provides supported employment, training and development opportunities for 49 people with a disability.

It is one of 26 Endeavour Foundation Industries sites around Queensland and Sydney, providing employment opportunities to more than 1800 people with a disability.

Along with the above, the services also provide social opportunities and the chance for people with a disability to actively participate in the community.

The support of the Massingham family has greatly contributed to Endeavour Industries Maryborough being able to successfully offer people with a disability the chance to actively participate in the community.

Greg’s mother Joan is a long-serving member of the Endeavour Central Area Committee, while Greg’s late father, Barry, worked tireless during the formation of the Maryborough service, even helping build a comfortable lunch and locker room for the employees.

This Friday Greg will celebrate his 30th anniversary with Endeavour Foundation Industries Maryborough, along with four fellow supported employees also marking a milestone.

Paul Patterson will mark 25 years, Troy Sommerfeld will celebrate 20 years, while Gary Pope and Jane Shoobridge will mark 10 years’ with the service.

The celebrations will include an award ceremony, barbecue, presentations and celebratory cake. The supported employee’s families and carers will also attend.

Supported employees at Endeavour Foundation Industries Maryborough primarily work on timber projects such as cutting and painting stakes and pegs, as well as sorting and bagging industrial cleaning cloth.

The site also provides a confidential document destruction service.

Greg has embraced Endeavour’s emphasis on training and personal development.

Since being at the service, Greg has learnt numerous skills, including working with machinery such as an optimizer and a pencil pointer.

While he enjoys the work, particularly the timber tasks, it’s the social side of the service that sees Greg keen to get to work every day.

“I like working for Endeavour. I have a lot of friends here...and they put on great barbecues and Christmas parties here,” he said.

Endeavour Industries Maryborough offers people with a disability employment, social life and an opportunity to participate. The achievements of the above supported employees is proof that with community and industry support Endeavour Maryborough which started from humble beginning’s can now provide a place of work and participation for people with a disability.

With continued Community and Industry support the Endeavour Industries Site can offer new and even longer term opportunities to people with a disability well into the future, a goal the Staff and management at Endeavour Industries Maryborough strive and aim for.

Endeavour Foundation Industries Maryborough is also calling for volunteers. While any assistance is appreciated, the service is particularly looking for truck drivers (MR licence required), volunteers to help with general maintenance tasks (experience with machinery ideal), as well as a stand-in supervisor. Those interested can phone the service on 4120 9944 or email maryborough.bs@endeavour.com.au.